Miniature gilt six-pointed faceted star with loop for ribbon suspension; the face with the crowned cipher of King and Emperor George VI centrally within a stippled ring inscribed ‘THE AIR CREW EUROPE STAR’; the reverse plain; diameter 18.03mm (0.71 inch); on original long ribbon. The Star was instituted in 1945 and awarded for operational flying over Europe from bases in the U.K. for a two-month period between the declaration of war (3 September 1939) and 4 June 1944. Candidates must first have qualified for the 1939-1945 Star, for which Air Force personnel must have participated in operations against the enemy and have completed two months’ service in an operational unit. The Star was awarded immediately if service was terminated by death, disability or wounding. Anyone qualifying for the Air Crew Europe, Atlantic or France and Germany Stars would be awarded only one - the first-earned, with clasp(s) denoting entitlement to the other(s). The rarest World War II medal, this example is in excellent condition and of relatively recent manufacture.